Question on LP

JRSutton · Oct 12, 2011

I have zero experience with any LP tractors. I've never even seen one in person.

But I've always wondered how the heck you fill them. I can't imagine it's a very safe operation, or is it?

Could somebody please explain?

S2710 · Oct 12, 2011

Just stop and think of the number of small LP tanks that are filled every day for a gas grill. The number of LP tanks that are filled for people who can not get natural gas. You are in more danger driving down the road in your car then filling a LP tank.

Bob

Nebraska Cowman · Oct 12, 2011

Mostly on farms we fill them from a nurse tank and vent the vapor to atmosphere. We just don't light matches while we are doing it.

Wardner · Oct 12, 2011

I have a W400LP in MA but we live on opposite sides of the state. It's the only LP tractor I have seen in these parts as well. It came from MO.

They can be filled via gravity and no venting. I use a 100 lb propane tank and lift it upside down with my forklift. Hose has to be rated for 300 lbs. The liquid gurgles in and it takes awhile. I have only filled it twice in ten years. I use the residual gas in the 100 pounder with my oxy-propane cutting torch.

If I was filling it frequently, I would have a 500-1000 gallon tank and vent the vapor.

KIP in MX · Oct 12, 2011

Twice in 10 yrs? You need to run it more often! I remember filling our Farmall 400 twice a day when plowing, discing or pulling the land plane. Great tractor, but thirsty. We used a 1000 gal tank with a pump to fill with.

Iowawill · Oct 12, 2011

Of course you need to be careful when filling with any fuel and propane is no different. I filled off of a 1000 gallon tank using a hose that attached to the valves on each of the tanks(tractor and nurse) and vented to the atmosphere as I recall. When the bleeder vent started spitting liquid then you were full.

JRSutton · Oct 12, 2011

I'm sure the process itself is safe enough, but I was wondering more about filling a 60 year old tank.

Seems like they'd be a lot of new safety standards put into place since then.

So I was wondering if in general they're safe, or if it's usual to replace old valves/parts.

Every tractor's obviously different, but wondering if, generally speaking, they tend to be solid enough not to have to worry too much about.

JRSutton · Oct 12, 2011

Is there any kind of guage on the tank? Wondering how you know when to refill.

Wardner · Oct 12, 2011

Yes, there is a gauge. It is screwed into the rear tank head is viewable from the operator's seat. I think it is a float and lever mechanical setup. Parts book probably has a picture. Can't remember if it oscillates alot. Don't think there is a baffle in the tank.

KIP in MX · Oct 13, 2011

Some of the older LP tanks don't have a standard guage. Our aftermarket tank on our Super C had a valve with a pointer and a bleed screw, connected to a tube with a 90 degree bend inside the tank. On the tank around the valve was a fixed circular chart with percent marks. You set the valve pointer to 100% on the chart and opened the bleed and vapor came out and you turned the valve pointer (and thus the tube) until the tube dipped into liquid and you got liquid out of the bleed. Where the pointer was indicating on the chart at that time was % liquid level in tank. Crude gauge, but effective.

JRSutton · Oct 13, 2011

thank you everyone for the answers.

Again, I was just curious, and it's hard to find good info on the web about it.

mkirsch · Oct 13, 2011

Grill tanks have to be recertified after 12 years, then every 5 years if you want to get them filled commercially.

If you're filling the tank yourself from your own supply, that's probably not an issue.

In this day and age, I wonder if it would behoove you to convert a propane powered tractor to use those tanks like they have on forklifts...

Wardner · Oct 13, 2011

LP tanks don't rot from the inside. The fuel is commonly referred to as a "sweet gas". A visual inspection of the welds and external rust should be adequate. Some places may hydro-test but I don't think it is common practice.

I remember a few years ago, I took some forklift tanks to be refilled at a welding supply store. I asked about the old date and the employee simply grabbed the etcher from the wall and inscribed the current date. I fill about 10-12 33 pounders a year. Nobody checks the date.

I think most accidents regarding propane are related to escaped fuel after it leaves the tank. Some of those can be horrendous because the vaporized gas is heavier than air and won't dissipate via normal ventilation. The gas likes to go into basements, sewers, and other underground spaces.

JRSutton · Oct 13, 2011

That's one thing I was wondering about - do the tanks rot out.

But I guess you're right, there would have to be oxygen/water in there for that to happen, as long as the gas isn't corrosive itself.

Thanks again.

CenTex Farmall · Oct 13, 2011

Propane tanks are tough by nature of being pressure tanks and quite crash worthy.

As you can see, most fill by connecting a liquid line and venting vapor from the tank. Technically correct way is to have a liquid line and a vapor line and then either a vapor or liquid pump to create a pressure differential.

Propane ignites at a higher temperature than gasoline and also has a narrower air/fuel range over which it can be ignited so in that respect it is safer than gasoline.

To me, filled forklift or even barbecue tanks sitting around to be used as nurse tanks are safer than the plastic containers with loose fitting caps that they sell for storing extra gasoline!

rustyfarmall · Oct 13, 2011

(quoted from post at 08:57:42 10/13/11) Propane tanks are tough by nature of being pressure tanks and quite crash worthy.

As you can see, most fill by connecting a liquid line and venting vapor from the tank. Technically correct way is to have a liquid line and a vapor line and then either a vapor or liquid pump to create a pressure differential.

Propane ignites at a higher temperature than gasoline and also has a narrower air/fuel range over which it can be ignited so in that respect it is safer than gasoline.

To me, filled forklift or even barbecue tanks sitting around to be used as nurse tanks are safer than the plastic containers with loose fitting caps that they sell for storing extra gasoline!

We heat our house and cook our food with propane. The 500 gallon tank was here when we moved in 14 years ago, and I suspect it was here for at least 20 years before that. Not to mention it was probably a used tank when it was placed here. Wouldn't surprise me in the least to learn that tank is a good 50 years old, and it is just as good today as it was back then.

Wardner · Oct 13, 2011

The biggest hazard on a propane tank is the valve getting knocked off via an impact. Or maybe a hose rupture and that is why we now have the new restricted flow valves on the homeowner type small tanks.

I remember years ago having a 20 pounder fly out of my pickup on Rt 2 near Fort Devens. I saw it in my rear view mirror. I stopped to retrieve it and it was fine. There may have been some deformity on the valve shield.

JRSutton · Oct 13, 2011

Agree on that point! - lp tanks being safer than gas cans.

Actually I like the whole LP idea. Especially if you're using it for other things like heat, cooking, etc.

Would be nice to only need one type of fuel for everything.

Too bad it didn't catch on.

I also wonder how long one would run on a full tank of lp vs. gas? Are they about the same? or do they need to be filled more or less frequently?

JRSutton · Oct 13, 2011

yeah it's the valves I would be mostly concerned with myself.

Especially in such close proximity to where you sit.

That could get really cold, or really hot, depending on your luck.

Question on LP

JRSutton

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S2710

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Nebraska Cowman

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Wardner

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KIP in MX

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JRSutton

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